Tips from your Network

If you have a mobile phone, we advise that you bring it with you as most mobiles work on the Chinese network. Wait, however, until you arrive in order to connect to the Chinese network. You may also have to change your re-charger as the voltage system in China is 220v as opposed to 240v in your country. Thus, I would advise that you enquire at your local mobile phone shop as to the appropriate charger.

If you have any specific personal toiletry brand items, such as aftershave, moisturizer, especially razors and shaving cream which are quite expensive etc, we advise that you bring with you at least a two month supply until you have sourced the same items in China.

We advise teachers to bring at least $USD300-500 or the equivalent in other currency, and exchange at least $USD100 at the airport prior or upon arrival. The remainder can be exchanged in the city where your school is located. This is ample for your first month in China . As credit cards and bank/debit cards are not in common use, it is advisable to bring this amount in cash and the rest, if any, on debit or credit cards. And as always be very aware of theft and such.

Clothes for larger men are sometimes quite difficult to source, although such stores are available. Thus, larger people should bring additional shorts, trousers, shoes, socks and underwear.

Bring with you your airfare receipt, that is, both your international airfare and your Chinese domestic airfare receipts.

Bring at least 2 copies of all your official paperwork and passport. In addition leave at least two copies with family or friends in case your original documents are lost.

It is advisable for you to pack is an English-Chinese and Chinese-English dictionary and Phrasebook. One of the best on the market is:

Oxford Starter Chinese Dictionary

Oxford University Press

Edited by: Boping Yuan
Sally K. Church

This dictionary contains Chinese, English and Chinese pinyin (phonetic alphabet). Very few dictionaries have pinyin, which you will require if you wish to speak Chinese.

There are many quality phrasebooks on the market these days.

Most teachers have a large range of teaching resources available to them. Resources ranging from computer and internet, DVD/VCD, OHP, tape recorder, photocopier etc. At most schools textbooks are provided for you to use as a guide. Additionally, there are numerous teaching resources that we will inform you of, once you settle in.

If your willing to bring material from your country I would advise you to bring information on the country; its famous places, cultures and traditions. Also newspapers, posters, magazines, books etc. Videos of children’s programs such as Humphrey, Wiggles, Hi-five, Sesame street and other childrens shows are not available here and would be of great benefit to you when conducting lessons both at your contracted school or privately. Also news programs and other programs such as Neighbors, soaps etc are of a great advantage.

Some teachers are also thinking about bringing with them small gifts for their contracting school, headmaster and Foreign Director, so as to set a friendly platform right from the start, which there will be anyway, but it is a nice warm gesture and something you may wish to consider. Such items again should be specifically related to your country, for example: an AUSn may choose a boomerang, kangaroo hide etc. An excellent suggestion one teacher had was some Aboriginal art

Also gifts such as chocolates, sweets etc are all warmly received.

Again, teachers suggestions of submitting Aboriginal art are quite excellent and certainly acceptable. In regard to chocolates, any nice brand of chocolates is acceptable as the only 'nice' foreign brand of chocolates I have noticed is DOVE, so anything from stores such as Darrell Lea etc would 'wet the mouth' of any Chinese person

Essentially all we are suggesting, and that is all this is, a suggestion, that you offer a gift of gratitude to your Chinese school that reflects something about your country and its lifestyles, customs and traditions. I can assure you it will certainly be received with open arms and well wishes, whilst at the same time provide your colleagues with some real memorabilia.

Coming to a country of a different culture can lead you to being deficient in areas of food, clothing and domestic needs .Such articles of significance need consideration and are required to be bought prior to entering China :


Cheese	Vegemite and TimTams (if you are from AUS )

Tube socks (if from USA )	Large shoes (the Chinese don’t have big feet)

Boots	English ?Chinese-English dictionary;

Toiletry items	Brown tea

Souvenirs from home	Small gifts from home

-Large T-shirts